Beyoncé Causes Controversy With Challenger Explosion Sample On ‘XO’

Beyoncé begins her song “XO” with six seconds of audio sampling from the space shuttle Challenger explosion. What she said was recorded with the “sincerest intention to help heal those who have lost loved ones,” is being seen in a very different light by former and current NASA astronauts as well as those who lost loved ones in the Challenger explosion on Jan. 28, 1986.

In the song’s opening clip, the audio from now-retired NASA public affairs officer Steve Nesbitt is heard.

“Flight controllers here looking very carefully at the situation. Obviously a major malfunction,” he said as the broadcast of the Challenger exploding was seen on television.

All seven of the crew members aboard the Challenger were killed during liftoff.

Former NASA employee Keith Cowing wants Beyoncé to take down the clip and apologize.

“This choice of historic and solemn audio is inappropriate in the extreme. The choice is little different than taking Walter Cronkite’s words to viewers announcing the death of President Kennedy or 911 calls from the World Trade Center attack and using them for shock value in a pop tune.”